On and Ever Onward
Dirty Projectors Björk Lyrics

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If you grow up in the river
The river's all you know
If you're swimming in the current
The current knows where you are gone
Ah, the current knows where you are gone

On and ever onward
Our home is all around us

On and ever onward
Our love is all around us

Tempurpedic is the ocean
Our backyard is the bay
From the morning to the evening
Swimming onwards through the day

Ah, swimming onwards through the day

On and ever onward
Our home is all around us
On and ever onward
Our love is all around us
Our love is all around us

Our love is all around us
Our love is all around us

Overall Meaning

The song "On and Ever Onward" by Dirty Projectors and Björk is a beautiful tribute to the power of our environment and how it shapes our lives. The opening lines of the song set the tone for a metaphorical journey through life as it compares growing up in a river to being swept away by the currents of life. The river becomes a symbol for home and familiarity, while the currents represent the unknown that we encounter on our journey. The lyrics suggest that our environment shapes who we are, highlighting why it's so important to surround ourselves with the right kind of people and places that inspire us to become better versions of ourselves.

The song also touches on the idea that our love is all around us, suggesting that we carry our home and our sense of belonging with us wherever we go. This idea is further explored in the second verse, where the ocean becomes a symbol for tranquility, and the bay for familiarity. The lyrics remind us that no matter where we are in life, we can always find a piece of home that can ground us and help us to be present in the moment. The repetition of the phrase "swimming onwards through the day" emphasizes the idea that we must keep moving forward, ever onward, and never lose sight of our goals and dreams.

Overall, "On and Ever Onward" is a poetic and introspective song that invites listeners to reflect on their journey through life and the role that their environment and relationships have played in shaping who they are today.

Line by Line Meaning

If you grow up in the river
Growing up in a specific environment shapes how you see the world

The river's all you know
The environment you're exposed to is all you're familiar with

If you're swimming in the current
Being part of an ongoing movement shapes your perspective

The current knows where you are gone
The movement itself can predict where you'll end up

Ah, the current knows where you are gone
Acknowledging the power of being part of a current

Our home is all around us
We carry our home with us wherever we go

Our love is all around us
Our love for each other provides a sense of home and belonging

Tempurpedic is the ocean
Our bed is as comfortable as being in the ocean

Our backyard is the bay
Our surrounding environment is peaceful and calming

From the morning to the evening
Throughout our daily routines

Swimming onwards through the day
Moving forward with a sense of rhythm and purpose